File for papers and the like



L. L. KEARNEY FILE FOR PAPERS AND THE LIKE Oct. 13, 1942.

Filed Sefit. 'a, 194; 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 O ct. '13, 1942.

| L. KEARNEY 2,298,889 8 FILE FOR PAPERS AND THE} LIKE Filed Sept. s, 1941 2 Sheets-She et 2 Lotus bKeanzey,

the current files.

Patented Oct. 13, 1942 2,298,889 FILE FOR PAPERS AND- THE- LIKE Louis L. Kearney, Oakland," Calif, assignor to American smelting and Refining Company, New York, N. Y.,. a corporation of New Jersey Application September 8, 1941, Serial No. 409,981

12' Claims.

My invention relates to letter files-and-more particularly to an improved folder for filingletters, reports and the like.

.The procedure generally followed in connectionwithconventional filing systems is to initially, provide a temporary folder for all ofxthe papers relating to the same subject matter or for those which are to be filed under separate headings. After the file 'iscompletedthat is to say, after thefolder is filled and the particular file is tobe closed, the papersare removed and transferred to another folder or jacket and stored.

It will be appreciated that in filing systems of the above noted character .the temporary folders are very often subjected to considerable handling prior to the time the papers are-removed and stored, for the reason that they form In order to withstand ordinary expected usage and handling duringthis period, it has been suggested that'heavier folders be used for the temporary files, the papers being attached toa folderat one side thereof by means of metal fastenershaving a removable clip arrangement. When the file is complete and the papers are to be permanently filed or'stored, the papers and clip portion of the fastener are removed as a unitand transferred to a lighter- -weight folder.

'While theabovesuggested method isesatisfactory from the standpointof economy of folder cost, since the heavier and more expensive folder canbe repeatedly used for a considerable period of time, it has been found that the economies thus effected are offset to an appreciable extent, by reason of the additional time required to transfer the papers from one folder toanother preparatory to permanent filing or storage.

In accordance withthe presentinvention, the folder inwhich the papers are to be permanently filed, is detachably connected to the temporary -folderinteriorly thereof, whereby the folder,

papers and clip portion of the metal fastener may be removed as a unit. By means of-the novel construction and arrangement of the-folders of the present invention, the papers are filed directly in the folder which is to form'the permanent-file and-when the file iscomplete or is to be closed, it isonly necessaryto detach the folder and contents from theouter cover formed by the temporary folder.

An object of my invention is to provide. an improved folder forfiling'letters reports-and the i like.

.an improved folder arrangement for use with filing systems of the character wherein the papers are initially filed in a temporary folder and on completion of the file-are thereafterwards transferred-to another folder and permanently filed.

Yet another object of my invention is to providean improved filing arrangement wherein the folder in which the papers are to be permanently filed is detachably connected to the. temporary folder.

Still another object of my invention is to pro- .vide an 1improved-folder constructed and arranged whereby the permanent file folder and contents can be.quickly and easily removed as a unit from the temporary folder.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved file folder arrangement whereby substantial economies in folder costs and filing .timeare effected.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinaftersetforth'and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements, comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement,

without departing from the spirit and scope of inner and outer folders prior to assemblage.

, Fig.2 ,is1a perspective view of the inner folder afterassembly, showing a file of papers, correspondence orthelike.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the detachable fastener usedtosecure the folders and papersto befiled.

Fig.4 isia perspective view of a portion of the rear of the inner. folder, in the. vicinity of-the fastener.

Fig. 5 is a perspective-view' of a portion of the 7 folder cover of the inner folder after the folder and filed contents have been removed from the outer folder.

.Fig. 6 d512,... perspective view of a modification Another object of my-invention --is to provide or .the folderarrangement shown in Fig. 1

of fabric or other suitable material, adhesively secured to the marginal edges of the cover members. The outer folder forms a temporary cover for the inner folder and the cover members I and 2 thereof, are preferably formed from rela-- tively heavy paper stock in order to withstand routine handling incident to, normal use.

The inner folder, designated generally by numeral 4, may be formed from a single piece of sheet material, the sheet being bent along a, fold line 5.to form cover members 6 and I. In the position shown in Fig. 1, cover member I is reversely folded upon cover 8, that is to say, cover i, when the folder is closed, is folded about line 5 directly over cover member 6 with identification tab 8 projecting outwardly from the underneath cover.

In order to detachably secure the folders together, there is provided a two-part fastener of conventional construction, comprising a portion 9 which is permanently attached to covermember 2 of the outer folder and removable portion designated generally by numeral l0, attached to cover member 6 of the inner folder. The removable portion of the fastener is in the form of a clip having a base portion H, (Fig. 4) prong members l2 and a locking plate I3, the prong members being adapted to bebent downwardly and maintained in contact with the locking plate by means of suitable loops or rings M, in accordance with accepted practice.

For the purpose of permitting access to the rear portion or base H of the removable part of the fastener, that is, to permit engagement of this portionof the fastenerwith portion 9 attached to the outer folder when the covers of the inner folder are folded in the filing position, as shown in Fig. 1, a slot or opening is formed in cover 7, opposite the fastener. As will be seen in Fig. 4,

cover member I in the vicinity of the fold line 5, is provided with a rectangular shaped slot or cut-out portion If), by removing a portion of the body of the cover along two sides and at one end, thus forming a flap 16, adapted to fold along its line of attachment IT, to the body portion of the cover, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

In preparing the folders for assembly, preparatory to filing papers and the like therein, portion 9 of the fastener is permanently attached to cover 2 of the outer folder, cover 6 of the inner folder is formed with openings or apertures l8 to receive prongs I2, and cover member I is cut out to provide slot l5 and flap It, as shown in'Fig. 4. After the fastener portions have been attached to the respective covers, as above described, the inner folder cover I is turned backwardly upon cover 6, (Fig. 1) with fiap member 16 in the open position, that is to say, extending outwardly away from slot 15 and lying substantially flat between the covers, as shown by its dotted line position in Fig. 1. i

It will thus be seen that base H of the removable portion of the fastener is then exposed through slot l5 and that the inner folderv 4' can readily be attached to the outer cover by merely 7 sliding base I I of fastener portion H] into engage ment with portion 9 attached to the outer cover.

Referring to Fig. 2, the inner folder is shown in assembled position. The papers, correspondence and the like 19, are filed as usual by inserting the ends of the paper over prongs l2 of the detachable portion of the fastener. When the file is complete, the inner folder 4 is removed from the outer cover and cover member 'I turned back to its normal position as the front cover of the folder. The folder and contents can then be filed as a unit, it being understood that the outer cover is intended for re-use as a temporary folder for other files.

In order to prevent prongs E2 of adjacent folders from becoming entangled when the permanent folders are filed or stored in filing cabinets, flap I6 is provided with sealing means in the'form of adhesive tape or the like whereby the flap may be sealed in closed position after the folder has been removed from the outer cover. As shown in Fig. 5, the flap member is covered with a piece of adhesive tape 29, the marginal edges 2| of which extend outwardly beyond the adjacent edges of the flap. After the inner folder 4 has been removed from the cover folder, the flap can be sealed in closed position to provide a substantially smooth continuous surface on the exterior of the folder.

The folder arrangement above described is designed particularly for use in connection with the filing of letter size correspondence, reports and the like. The basic conception of the invention, however, is also applicable to other types of folders, for example, legal size folders wherein the cover members are hinged at the end portions of the folders.

Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown a legal size folder arrangement comprising an outer folder having covers 22 and 23 joined at their top edges by means of fabric or other flexible material 24, adhesively secured to the marginal edges of the respective cover folders. The inner folder 25, like folder 4 of Fig. 1, is formed from a'single piece of sheet material of comparatively lighter weight than the stock from which the outer folder is made, the sheet being folded along line 2'6'to provide cover members 28 and 29. In the position shown in Fig. 6, cover. member 29 is reversely folded on cover 28, with file identification tab 30 projecting outwardly from the top cover. s

The fastener portions by means of which the folders are detachably secured are attached to the folders as heretofore described, that is, portion 9 is permanently attached to cover 23 and the removable portion I9 is attached to cover 28 of the inner folder. In order to permit sliding engagement of the fastener parts, the top edge of cover 29 is formed with a recessed or slotted portion by turning back a portion of the edge against the under surface 3| of the cover, as shown in Fig. '7. The edges of flap 32 may be provided with adhesive tape or other sealing means 33, (Fig. 8) so that the flap can be sealed in closed position after the inner folder and filed contents 34 are removed from the outer folder.

v The folders are prepared for filing, that is to say, for the reception of the papers tobe filed, in substantially the same manner as the folder arrangement of Fig. 1. Assuming that the fastener portions 9 and I 0 have been attached to the proper covers of the inner and outer folders and that the top edge of cover 29 has been slotted, cover 29 is reversely folded on cover '28-thereby exposing the base portion of the removable fastener so that it can slidably engage with portion 9. The inner folder is then positioned within the outer cover with the fastener portions in lockins engagement. 'After the file is complete, the inner folder and filed contents are removed, (Fig. 7) flap 32 being straightened out and sealed in normal extended position, as shown in Fig. 8.

While I have shown and'described the'preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim; a

1. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer cover folder and an inner folder, means for deta-chably securing the folders together comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with saidbase, attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having a cut-out portion therein formed by turning back a portion of the body upon itself, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon'the cover to which the paper receiving portion of the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through said cut-out portion to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener.

2. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer folder having a pair of cover members formed from relatively heavy paper and an inner folder formed from paper of comparatively lighter weight, means for detachably securing the folders together with one of the cover members of the inner folder reversely folded upon the other cover of said folder, comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder "covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to re-ceive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having a cut-out portion therein formed by turning back a portion of the body upon itself, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the'paper receiving portion of thefastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through said cut-out portion to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener.

3. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer cover folder and an inner folder, means for detachably securing the folders together with one of the cover members of the inner folder reversely folded upon the other cover of said folder, comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, 'said'latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members'thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having a cut out portion therein formed by turning back a portion of the body upon itself, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the paper receiving'portion of the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through the opening of said outout to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener,

4. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer cover folder and an inner folder, means for detachably securing the folders together comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having an openingtherein in the vicinity of its fold line opposite the removable portion of the fastener, whereby'when said cover is reversely folded upon'thecover to which the paper receiving portion of the fastener is attachedjsaid fastener "portion is in alinement with and extended through said opening to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener.

5. A'file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer cover folder and an inner folder, means for 'detachably securing the folders together comprising a fastener'having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and'a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of thefastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having'an opening therein in the vicinity of its fold line opposite the removable portion of the fastener, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the paper receiving portion of the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through said opening to be slidably engageablewith the base portion of the fastener, a closure member for closing saidopening and'means associated with said member 'to seal it in closed position after the inner folder has been removed from the outer cover folder.

'fiQA file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer cover folder and an inner folder, means for detachably securing the folders together comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base, attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be'filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having an opening therein in the vicinity of its fold line opposite the removable portion of the fastener, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the paper receiving portionof the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through said opening to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener, a'closure member for said opening comprising a flap formed from the body of the cover attached thereto along one'edge, and means'ass'ociated with said flap to seal it in closed position after line the inner folder has been removed from the outer cover folder.

7. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer folder having a pair of cover members formed from relatively heavy paper and an inner folder formed from paper of comparatively lighter weight, means for detachably securing the folders together with one of the cover members of the inner folder reversely folded upon the other cover of said folder, comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for slidin engagement with said base, attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having an opening therein in the vicinity of its fold pposite the removable portion of the fastener, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the paper receiving portion of the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through said opening to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener.

8. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer folder having a pair of cover members formed from relatively heavy paper and an inner folder formed from paper of comparatively lighter weight, means for detachably securing the folders together with one of the cover members of the inner folder reversely folded upon the other cover of said folder, comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base, attached t one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having an opening therein in the vicinity of its fold line opposite the removable portion of the fastener, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the paper receiving portion of the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through said opening to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener, a closure member for closing said opening and means associated with said member to seal it in closed porition after the inner folder has been removed from the outer cover folder.

9. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer cover folder and an inner folder, means for detachably securing the folders together comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base, attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having its top edge folded back upon its self, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the paper receiving portion of the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through the opening formed by said folded back edge to be slidably engagea ile with the base portion of the fastener.

10. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer cover folder and an inner folder, means for detachably securing the folders together with one of the cover members of the inner folder reversely folded upon the other cover of said folder, comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having its top edge folded back upon itself, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the paper receiving portion of th fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through the opening formed by said folded back edge to be slidably engageaole with the base portion of the fastener.

11. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprisin an outer cover folder and an inner folder, means for detachably securing the folders together with one of the cover. members of the inner folder reversely folded upon the other cover of said folder, comprising a fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having its top edge folded back upon itself, whereby when said cover is reversely folded upon the cover to which the paper receiving portion of the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through the opening formed by said folded back edge to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener, and means associated with said turned over portion to seal it in normal extended position in the plane of the cover, after the inner folder has been removed from the outer cover folder.

12. A file for papers, correspondence and the like comprising an outer folder having a pair of cover members formed from relatively heavy paper and an inner folder formed from paper of comparatively light weight, means for detachably securing the folders together with one of the cover members of the inner folder reversely folded upon the other COIVBI of said folder, comprising a. fastener having a base portion permanently attached to one of the outer folder covers and a portion adapted for sliding engagement with said base attached to one of the covers of the inner folder, said latter portion of the fastener having bendable prong members thereon adapted to receive the papers to be filed, the other cover member of said inner folder having its top edge folded back upon itself, whereby when said cover is reversely folded back upon the cover to which the paper receiving portion of the fastener is attached, said fastener portion is in alinement with and extended through the opening formed by said folded back edge to be slidably engageable with the base portion of the fastener, and means associated with said turned over portion to seal it in the normally extended position in the plane of the cover, after the inner folder has been removed from the outer folder cover.

LOUIS L. KEARNEY. 

